MANILA, Philippines–Emilio Aguinaldo College toiled for over two months waiting for that big game that can rescue the Generals out of an exasperating slump.
It took a gallant effort from a platoon of dedicated Generals to end that losing skein at the expense of Final Four contender San Sebastian Stags, 79-75, on Friday at the NCAA Season 95 men’s basketball tournament.
Wingman Kriss Gurtiza came out of his shell and led the Generals with 16 points while the hot-shooting Marwin Taywan sealed their only second win out of 12 games with four marginal freethrows that finished off the Stags.
Allyn Bulanadi, the league’s scoring leader, sank six of his team’s last eight points including a stepback three that pegged the count at 70 inside the final minute.
But the desire of the Generals was just too strong for the Stags to overcome with John Paul Maguliano, Jethro Mendoza and Adrian De Guzman chipping in crucial baskets as well.
The Stags were never the same again after losing to the Letran Knights and the San Beda Lions, but this one was doubly painful as they fell to 7-6 in a tie with the Mapua Cardinals at fourth place.
EAC 79—Taywan 16, Gurtiza 16, Mendoza 15, Maguliano 7, De Guzman 7, Boffa 6, Corilla 3, Martin 3, Gonzales 2, Luciano 2, Dayrit 2, Estacio 0, Cadua 0.
SSC 75—Bulanadi 28, Capobres 13, Ilagan 10, Desoyo 10, Calahat 7, Calma 3, Sumoda 2, Villapando 2, Tero 0, Altramirano 0, Isidro 0, Cosari 0.
Quarters: 20-14, 34-24, 55-49, 79-75